Abu dhabi: The 18th World Future Energy Summit, which runs until January 15 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, catalysed an assortment of deals, announcements, and potential partnerships on its second day, demonstrating once again that one of the world's most influential clean energy and sustainability gatherings produces real-world, game-changing impact on the global clean energy ecosystem.
According to Emirates News Agency, taking place as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week and hosted by Masdar, the Summit - the largest and most ambitious on record - is convening global leaders and international attendees from over 150 countries at a pivotal moment for energy transition. With a schedule of expanded conferences, next-generation technology showcases, and new engagement formats accelerating real-world change, the impact was evident as an inspiring session explored how agrivoltaics - the dual use of land for both solar energy generation and agriculture - can help strengthen food security, improve rural livelihoods, and accelerate the region's clean energy transition.
Organised by Greenpeace MENA, the discussion brought together experts to examine the geo-economic trade-offs and policy pathways required to scale dual land-use solutions across the Middle East and North Africa, particularly in the context of rising land pressures, climate risks, and growing demand for sustainable infrastructure.
Opening the session, Cláudia Pinto, Founder of Empowering Women Middle East, highlighted the importance of aligning energy transition goals with long-term resilience and responsible governance. 'The conversation today is not purely technical; it is about policy and investment,' said HE Pinto. 'The future will not be determined only by how much clean energy we produce, but by how wisely we govern systems that sustain lives.'
The panel discussed how agrivoltaics can enhance productivity in challenging environments by reducing land competition, supporting crop cultivation, and improving climate resilience - particularly in arid and desert regions. Commenting on the opportunity for the region, Dr Hamed Hanifi, Director of Technology and Innovation at AE Solar, said agrivoltaics is emerging globally as one of the most promising solutions to address resource pressures and meet sustainability objectives.
Day Two also saw a host of collaborative agreements signed on-site, among them Savvy Charging Technologies and Pioneer eMobility, who each signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalise a joint venture aimed at accelerating the adoption of on-demand, mobile EV charging solutions in the UAE and wider MENA region. The two companies selected the Summit as the platform to announce the partnership due to its global positioning in sustainable energy and mobility, and its ability to convene EV manufacturers, charging infrastructure players, policymakers, and investors under one roof, said the two entities' CEOs.
In another significant development, Industrial Transition Accelerator (ITA) and the International Solar Alliance (ISA) signed an MoU to accelerate solar expansion and delivery in a number of markets, mainly India and Egypt. Infinity Power, the largest African renewable energy company, announced a Letter of Award with Hithium for the Nefer Benban Battery Storage Project in Aswan, Egypt, reinforcing the country's commitment to enhancing grid stability and expanding the deployment of clean energy solutions.
Elsewhere on the show floor, the Universities of Leicester and Sharjah entered into a collaboration funded through the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology tactical fund. The partnership aims to tackle the imperative for international collaboration to solve the global challenge of reducing the energy footprint of large and complex buildings in all climates.
During a roundtable discussion in a corner of the bustling Sustainability Business Connect Lounge, representatives from the public sector of the UAE, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia tackled the different challenges and opportunities within waste management, emphasising the importance of diversion and recycling. Mahmood Albraheem, Deputy Mayor of Saudi's Eastern Province, discussed the government's plans to engage the private sector to reduce financial responsibilities while Eng Suha Shishani, Executive Director of Environmental Studies and Projects at the Greater Amman Municipality, spoke of her city's vision for treatment and recycling.
As the session wrapped up, delegates were invited to ask questions, with attendees from Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait taking the opportunity to pitch their own solutions, encapsulating the purpose of the dedicated lounge for driving connections within the sustainable solutions sector.